Nigel Farage milkshake: Man charged with common assault and criminal damage after Brexit Party walkabout

A 32-year-old man has been charged with common assault and criminal damage after Nigel Farage had a milkshake thrown at him in Newcastle.

Northumbria Police confirmed Paul Crowther had been charged after the incident involving the Brexit Party leader while he was on a walkabout in the north east yesterday.

In a statement, Northumbria Police said: "Police have charged a man with common assault and criminal damage following an incident in Newcastle yesterday.

"At around 1pm, a 55-year-old man had a milkshake thrown at him in the city centre.

"A 32-year-old man was detained at the scene and arrested by police. He has now been charged with common assault and criminal damage.

"Paul Crowther, 32, is due to appear before magistrates in North Tyneside on Tuesday, June 18."

The Brexit Party leader was heard to comment "complete failure" and "I could have spotted that a mile off" as he was ushered away by security following the incident in Newcastle city centre.

One of his team was heard to say "sorry" as Mr Farage was walked to his taxi and then driven away from the event, where he had met voters by the Earl Grey Monument.

Moments after the milkshake hit his suit, and as a man was bundled away, a member of Mr Farage's team said: "Take him away, get him back to the car."

Mr Farage had walked down the busy Northumberland Street with several security staff wearing earpieces, followed by Brexit Party supporters and the media.

An empty Five Guys banana and salted caramel milkshake cup was left on the floor following the disturbance.

Mr Farage became the latest victim of a protest which has seen other European election candidates such as Ukip's Carl Benjamin and ex-English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson suffer similar attacks.

Afterwards, Mr Farage tweeted: "Sadly some remainers have become radicalised, to the extent that normal campaigning is becoming impossible.

"For a civilised democracy to work you need the losers consent, politicians not accepting the referendum result have led us to this."

Last week, police apparently ordered a McDonald's outlet near a Brexit Party campaign rally to stop selling milkshakes and ice cream, according to the restaurant's staff.

Earlier, Northumbria Police said it had not asked local fast food outlets to stop serving milkshakes to deter similar protests.

Nigel FarageCredit: Scott Heppell/Reuters

Mr Farage later spoke about "some of the conduct and behaviour we are seeing" during the campaign".

He told a rally in Bolton: "I won't even acknowledge the low-grade behaviour, that I was subjected to this morning, I won't dignify it, I will ignore it. Perhaps keep buying new clothes and carry on.

"For a civilised democratic nation to function in democracy, the loser has to give their consent. The loser has to accept they've lost the election and do their best to win the next election. That is how our system works."

Theresa May's official spokesman told a Westminster briefing: "The Prime Minister has been clear that politicians should be able to go about their work and campaign without harassment, intimidation, or abuse.

"In this case, I understand, an arrest has already been made, so I can't comment further.

"But, the Prime Minister supports efforts to stamp out unacceptable and unlawful behaviour, and where incidents of harassment and abuse constitute a criminal offence this should be taken seriously by the police."